Gender Equity Work at CEPP

Overview

Recognizing and addressing the distinct needs of women in the justice system leads to better outcomes for them, their families, and their communities. Our work equips system stakeholders, community organizations, and women directly impacted by the justice system with the insights and tools to implement more responsive, equitable, and effective approaches.

To advance our mission, we:

• Partner with system stakeholders, community organizations, and those directly impacted to co-develop policies, improve practices, and deliver meaningful training
• Work alongside a team of currently and formerly incarcerated advisors to co-develop innovative, scalable educational tools and resources that advance safety and well-being in the justice field
• Work with government and nonprofit partners to provide tailored support to justice systems at all levels, focusing on staff wellness, gender and trauma, data use, and related areas

Want to partner with us? Get in touch.

Want to learn more? Check out our Gender Justice at CEPP: Policy, Partnerships, and Progress report.

Our Approach

CEPP advances gender equity in the justice system by centering the unique needs and lived experiences of women—particularly those who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed, research-based, and gender-responsive practices that address systemic inequities and promote safety, dignity, and well-being.

We partner with agencies, community organizations, and directly impacted women to co-create policies, resources, and training that reflect real-world experiences and challenges. By bringing system stakeholders and impacted women to the same table, we ensure that solutions are not only practical but also just and inclusive.

Explore Our Work

We have a growing portfolio of projects specifically aimed at building the capacity of justice systems nationwide to adopt gender-responsive strategies—ranging from pretrial to reentry and supervision—while reducing harm and promoting long-term positive outcomes for women, their families, and their communities.

Click here to view our current Gender Equity Portfolio. Below is a sampling of our projects.

Assessment Tools

		Agency Evaluation Tool for Women on Supervision (AETWS) Developed by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in collaboration with CEPP, the AETWS assists community corrections agencies in assessing and strengthening the responsiveness of their policies and practices to women. By guiding agencies through an evaluation across six key domains, the tool supports evidence-based reforms that reduce revocations, improve outcomes, and promote the well-being of women under supervision.
		Gender-Informed Practices Assessment (GIPA) Developed by CEPP and NIC, this tool enables correctional facilities to evaluate the alignment of their policies and practices with research on women’s needs. By providing on-site assessments, reports, and strategic planning support, GIPA guides facilities nationwide to adopt gender-responsive approaches that reduce recidivism, improve safety, and strengthen staff–women interactions.

Resources

		Make Every Interaction Count: Successful Community Supervision with Women (May 2025) This practical desktop guide equips community supervision professionals with tailored strategies to build meaningful, strength-based connections with women under supervision. With step-by-step conversation prompts and trauma-informed approaches, it supports better assessments, case planning, and one-on-one interactions that promote positive outcomes and individual well-being. While designed with women at the center, its principles also benefit clients across the caseload. Perfect for quick reference: just print and laminate pages 3–4.
		Incarceration to Community: Navigating the Journey with Justice-Involved Women (October 2024) Developed in collaboration with justice-impacted BIPOC women and the Center for Justice at Columbia University, Returning Home: My Guide to Community Reentry is a culturally competent resource to support women transitioning from incarceration. By providing step-by-step guidance on housing, employment, healthcare, and supervision requirements, the project reduces barriers and strengthens the likelihood of successful reentry for BIPOC women.
		Gender Justice Pretrial Toolkit (April 2024) This resource equips judicial officers, pretrial practitioners, and women and gender-diverse people with tools to create a more participatory and equitable pretrial process. By centering lived experience and providing practical aids—like bench cards, self-advocacy guides, and intake templates—the toolkit promotes fairer decisions, greater autonomy, and improved outcomes for women and gender-diverse people facing court involvement.
		Click here to view all our resources on gender equity.

Trainings

Each year, CEPP delivers a robust series of in-person and virtual trainings for criminal justice professionals across the country. These sessions are designed to advance trauma-informed, gender-responsive practices that improve outcomes for women in the justice system.

Here is a sampling of our trainings:

		Gender Justice and Participatory Pretrial Note: You must be logged in to the Advancing Pretrial Policy & Research website to view this training. November 21, 2024
		Transforming Systems: Strategies for Gender-Responsive Reentry and Crisis Response October 30, 2024
		Strengthening Staff Wellness: Promoting a Healthy Community Supervision Workforce  April 10, 2024

Partner with Us

Does your jurisdiction need support with an assessment tool, have questions about any of our resources, or would like training or assistance with policy implementation? Contact us.

The Impact

CEPP’s gender equity initiatives have transformed how justice systems respond to women by embedding trauma-informed, gender-responsive practices nationwide. Our work has led to measurable outcomes, including the reduced use of restrictive housing for women, increased equitable access to diversion and reentry services, and greater staff capacity to respond with compassion and effectiveness. By co-developing policies and resources with currently and formerly incarcerated women, we ensure that reforms are both practical and rooted in lived experience. These efforts improve outcomes for women in the justice system and create ripple effects that strengthen families and communities.